A Sussex police officer has travelled to the Gambia to give evidence at a trial into the death of Hastings man.

The body of William West, 76, was found near his holiday home last July after he was reported missing by his wife.

Kate West, 26, had admitted his murder at previous court hearings in the Gambia, but she is now on trial and has denied the charge.

Det Insp Paul Phelps, of Sussex Police, told the court the results of his investigation and Mr West's inquest.

An unlawful killing verdict was recorded by coroner Alan Craze at a hearing in Hastings in May.

Charred remains

After giving evidence at Brikama High Court, Det Insp Phelps said: "It's more a case of myself leading my way through the evidence and through the inquiries that we undertook both in the UK and what we did when we came to the Gambia last year."

He was expected to be cross-examined by Mrs West's defence team on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr West's charred remains were found in a sack on 30 July 2006.

His wife had returned to the UK following his disappearance before going back to the Gambia to register him as officially missing.